Herbert Blendinger
Encyclopedia
Herbert Blendinger is an Austrian composer and viola
player of German origin.
, then from 1961 to 1963 at the Musikhochschule München with Georg Schmid and Franz Xaver Lehner. As a composer, he was inspired also by Paul Hindemith
.
He worked from 1961 as principal viola player of the Rheinisches Kammerorchester in Cologne. He was also a member of the Bamberger Symphoniker and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester
. He played chamber music with the Bamberger Klavierquartett and the Sinnhoffer-Quartett, among others. Blendinger taught at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich and the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg. From 1981 until his retirement in 1988 he was professor for viola at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz. Blendinger is a member of the board of the Styrian Tone Arts Association.
, his concerto for string quartet and orchestra in 1976, the cantata
Media in vita (In the Midst of Life) in 1980 and Divertimento concertante in 1985. His cantatas Mich ruft zuweilen eine Stille (Sometimes a silence calls me), op. 58 (1992), and Allein den Betern kann es noch gelingen (It can only be achieved by those who pray) (1995) were premiered in the cathedral of Graz
and the Heilandskirche, Graz. The ALEA Ensemble
performed his string quartets internationally in Munich, Rome and New York. The ensemble, in piano trio formation, performed his Drei Stücke for cello and piano (1955), Duo concertante for violin and piano (2003) and Fantasie in G for piano trio (1992) at the Musik-Forum München, Studio für neue Musik, along with piano trios by Gerhard Präsent
, Graham Waterhouse
(Bei Nacht
) and Iván Erőd
. The concert was broadcast by the Bayerischer Rundfunk
on 19 August 2011 in its series past midnight "Concerto bavarese" (Bavarian concert).
's string quartet "Aus Figaro", op. 6 No. 5. and the string quartets No. 2 and 3 of Otto Luening
.
His clarinet concerto and Media in Vita were combined on a CD in 2006. Clarinetist Hans Schöneberger played the concerto in 1999 with the Münchener Kammerorchester, conducted by Peter Gülke, at the Allerheiligen Hofkirche in Munich. Soprano Helen Donath
and bass Hermann Becht
were the soloists in the cantata, performed by the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch
.
Orchestral
Concertante
Chamber music
Organ
Piano
Vocal
Choral
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
player of German origin.
Professional career
Blendinger studied viola and composition with Willy Horwath and Max Gebhard at the conservatory in NurembergNuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, then from 1961 to 1963 at the Musikhochschule München with Georg Schmid and Franz Xaver Lehner. As a composer, he was inspired also by Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
.
He worked from 1961 as principal viola player of the Rheinisches Kammerorchester in Cologne. He was also a member of the Bamberger Symphoniker and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Bavarian State Orchestra
The Bayerisches Staatsorchester is the orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera.- History :Founded in the times of Ludwig Senfl the orchestra, specializing in musica sacra, belonged to the finest ones in Europe already under Orlando di Lasso . In 1651 the Italian opera was introduced in Munich...
. He played chamber music with the Bamberger Klavierquartett and the Sinnhoffer-Quartett, among others. Blendinger taught at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich and the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg. From 1981 until his retirement in 1988 he was professor for viola at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz. Blendinger is a member of the board of the Styrian Tone Arts Association.
Performances
Blendinger's works were performed by the Bayerisches Staatsorchester and Wolfgang SawallischWolfgang Sawallisch
Wolfgang Sawallisch is a retired German conductor and pianist.-Biography:Sawallisch was born in Munich, and studied composition and pianoforte there privately: at the conclusion of the war, in 1946 he continued his studies at the Munich High School for Music and passed his final examination for...
, his concerto for string quartet and orchestra in 1976, the cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
Media in vita (In the Midst of Life) in 1980 and Divertimento concertante in 1985. His cantatas Mich ruft zuweilen eine Stille (Sometimes a silence calls me), op. 58 (1992), and Allein den Betern kann es noch gelingen (It can only be achieved by those who pray) (1995) were premiered in the cathedral of Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
and the Heilandskirche, Graz. The ALEA Ensemble
ALEA Ensemble
The ALEA Ensemble is a chamber music ensemble founded in Graz for contemporary music, playing in variable formation including the ALEA Quartet.-History:...
performed his string quartets internationally in Munich, Rome and New York. The ensemble, in piano trio formation, performed his Drei Stücke for cello and piano (1955), Duo concertante for violin and piano (2003) and Fantasie in G for piano trio (1992) at the Musik-Forum München, Studio für neue Musik, along with piano trios by Gerhard Präsent
Gerhard Präsent
Gerhard Präsent is an Austrian composer, conductor and academic.-Professional career:Gerhard Präsent studied from 1976 at the Musikhochschule Graz, composition with Iván Erőd and conducting with Milan Horvat. He graduated in 1982 in composition and in 1985 in conducting, in both subjects with...
, Graham Waterhouse
Graham Waterhouse
Graham Waterhouse is an English composer and a cellist. He is known for chamber music and for unusual scoring, such as Piccolo Quintet, Bright Angel for three bassoons and contrabassoon, Chieftain's Salute for Great Highland Bagpipe and string orchestra, and works for speaking voice and cello,...
(Bei Nacht
Bei Nacht
Bei Nacht , op. 50, is a piano trio, composed in 1999 by Graham Waterhouse, published by Hofmeister, Leipzig.-Composition:Bei Nacht was written in 1999 for the Kandinsky Trio of Illinois to be performed at the University of Illinois...
) and Iván Erőd
Iván Eröd
Iván Erőd, also Iván Eröd , is an Hungarian-Austrian composer and pianist.- Career :Erőd studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with Pál Kadosa and Ferenc Szabó . He emigrated to Austria in 1956 and studied there at the Vienna Music Academy, with Richard Hauser and Karl Schiske...
. The concert was broadcast by the Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk [Bavarian Broadcasting] is the public broadcasting authority for the German Freistaat of Bavaria, with its main offices located in Munich. BR is a member of ARD.- Legal foundation :...
on 19 August 2011 in its series past midnight "Concerto bavarese" (Bavarian concert).
Recordings
Blendinger's recordings with the Sinhoffer Quartet include Franz DanziFranz Danzi
Franz Ignaz Danzi was a German cellist, composer and conductor, the son of the noted Italian cellist Innocenz Danzi. Born in Schwetzingen, Franz Danzi worked in Mannheim, Munich, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, where he died....
's string quartet "Aus Figaro", op. 6 No. 5. and the string quartets No. 2 and 3 of Otto Luening
Otto Luening
Otto Clarence Luening was a German-American composer and conductor, and an early pioneer of tape music and electronic music....
.
His clarinet concerto and Media in Vita were combined on a CD in 2006. Clarinetist Hans Schöneberger played the concerto in 1999 with the Münchener Kammerorchester, conducted by Peter Gülke, at the Allerheiligen Hofkirche in Munich. Soprano Helen Donath
Helen Donath
Helen Jeanette Donath is an American soprano with a career spanning fifty years.- Biography :She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and studied at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and with Paola Novikova in New York....
and bass Hermann Becht
Hermann Becht
Hermann Becht was a German operatic bass-baritone. He notably portrayed the role of Alberich in the 1983 recording of Richard Wagner's The Ring Cycle which won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.-References:*Bayreuther Festspiele. *Cummings, David . , International Who's Who in Classical...
were the soloists in the cantata, performed by the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch
Wolfgang Sawallisch
Wolfgang Sawallisch is a retired German conductor and pianist.-Biography:Sawallisch was born in Munich, and studied composition and pianoforte there privately: at the conclusion of the war, in 1946 he continued his studies at the Munich High School for Music and passed his final examination for...
.
Selected works
Stage- Tanz des Boreas, Ballet for solo dancer and orchestra, Op. 34 (1979)
- Versuchung, Op. 46 (1984); libretto after "Versuchung" (Temptation) by Franz WerfelFranz WerfelFranz Werfel was an Austrian-Bohemian novelist, playwright, and poet.- Biography :Born in Prague , Werfel was the first of three children of a wealthy manufacturer of gloves and leather goods. His mother, Albine Kussi, was the daughter of a mill owner...
Orchestral
- Sinfonietta, Op. 30 (1976)
- Divertimento concertante for string orchestra, Op. 41 (1983); also for string septet
Concertante
- Concerto for viola and string orchestra, Op. 16 No. 1 (1962)
- Concertino for violin and string orchestra, Op. 16 No. 2 (1962)
- Concerto tonale for cello and orchestra, Op. 22 (1971)
- Concerto for string quartet and orchestra, Op. 24 (1976)
- Concerto tritonale for bassoon and orchestra, Op. 28 (1976)
- Concerto barocco for trumpet and orchestra, Op. 33 (1977); also for trumpet and organ
- Concerto for viola and orchestra, Op. 38 (1982)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, Op. 42 (1983)
- Concerto for brass and percussion, Op. 44
- Präludium und Meditation for cello, string orchestra and percussion, Op. 45 (1985)
- Konzertante Elegie for violin, cello, string orchestra and percussion, Op. 47 (1995)
- Kammermusik for harp and string orchestra, Op. 50 (1985)
- Symphonie concertante for brass quintet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba) and orchestra, Op. 52 (1990)
- Choralkonzert for organ and chamber orchestra (2 oboes, strings, timpani), Op. 70 (1997)
- Concerto for clarinet and orchestra, Op. 72 (1999)
Chamber music
- Spielbuch für Laien (Book of Pieces for Beginners), Dances and Pieces for various instruments, Op. 1 (1954)
- Sonatina for viola and piano (or guitar), Op. 2 No. 1 (1954)
- Sonatina for violin and piano, Op. 2 No. 2 (1954)
- Sonata for flute and piano, Op. 5 (1955)
- Suite for flute and viola, Op. 7 (1955)
- Thema mit Variationen (Theme and Variations) for cello and piano, Op. 8 (1954)
- Kleine Suite for violin, cello and piano, Op. 10 (1954)
- String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11 (1957)
- Sonata for viola and piano, Op. 12 (1958)
- Sonata for viola and harpsichord, Op. 13 (1959)
- Suite for violin solo, Op. 14 (1960)
- Piano Quartet, Op. 17 (1965)
- String Quartet No. 2, Op. 19 (1969)
- Dialog for viola and percussion, Op. 20 (1968)
- Invention und Choral for violin and organ, Op. 21 No. 1 (1975)
- Introduktion und Chaconne zu dem Choral „Heiliger Geist, du Tröster mein“ for viola and organ, Op. 21 No. 2
- Partita for viola solo, Op. 25 (1974)
- Invention und Choral for flute, organ and harp, Op. 26 (1977)
- Tre Impressioni (3 Impressions) for flute (bass flute), viola and harp, Op. 26 (1976)
- Partita for viola (or violin) and cello, Op. 27 (1972)
- String Quartet No. 3, Op. 29 (1976)
- 3 Stücke (3 Pieces) for cello and piano, Op. 31 (1955)
- Präludium und Chaconne for 12 cellos, Op. 32 (1978)
- Concerto barocco for trumpet and organ, Op. 33 (1977); also for trumpet and orchestra
- Meditation über den Choral „Nun bitten wir den heiligen GeistNun bitten wir den Heiligen GeistNun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist is a chorale in four stanzas. The first stanza dates from the 13th century and alludes to the Latin sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus, three other stanzas were written by Martin Luther...
“ for cello and organ, Op. 36 (1984) - 3 Stücke (3 Pieces) for cello and piano, Op. 38
- String Quintet, Op. 39 (1982)
- Suite for viola solo, Op. 40 (1982)
- Divertimento concertante in G for string septet (2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, double bass), Op. 41 (1983); also for string orchestra
- Suite for harp, Op. 43 (1988)
- Suite marseillaise for harp, Op. 48 (1989)
- Fagott-Quintett (Bassoon Quintet), Op. 51 (1991)
- String Quartet No. 4, Op. 54 (1990)
- Trio in G for flute (or violin), cello and piano, Op. 55 (1992)
- Tonale Skizzen for viola, cello and double bass, Op. 56 (1993)
- Fantasie in G for violin, cello and piano, Op. 57 (1992)
- Nocturne et chanson for flute and harp, Op. 62 (1994)
- Elegie for horn (or bass clarinet) and piano (or chamber orchestra), Op. 65 (1995)
- 2 Stücke (2 Pieces) for flute and harpsichord (or guitar), Op. 67 (1995)
- Choralmeditation on „O Welt, ich muß dich lassen“ for alto saxophone and organ, Op. 73 (1998)
- Klarinettenquintett (Clarinet Quintet), Op. 76 (1998)
- Faust-Monolog for bassoon solo, Op. 78 (2001)
- Duo concertante for violin and piano, Op. 85 (2003)
- Symposion Nr. 1: Meditation über eine Bachsche Sarabande for 6 harps, Op. 81b (2002)
- Symposion Nr. 2: Toccata for 4 harps, Op. 81 (2002)
Organ
- Phantasie über den Choral "Wachet auf, ruft uns die StimmeWachet auf, ruft uns die StimmeWachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, also known as Sleepers Wake, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, written in Leipzig for the 27th Sunday after Trinity and first performed on November 25, 1731.-History and text:...
", Op. 49 - Choralvariationen, Op. 86 (2003)
Piano
- Suite for piano 4-hands, Op. 3 (1954)
- Sonata, Op. 4 (1953)
- Sonatina, Op. 6 (1956)
- 5 leichte Stücke (5 Easy Pieces), Op. 9 (1954)
- 3 Präludien (3 Preludes), Op. 23 (1984)
Vocal
- Kammermusik for baritone and string quartet, Op. 18 (1966)
- 3 Gesänge (3 Songs) for baritone and piano (1991); words by Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria RilkeRené Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke , better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian–Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language...
- Liederzyklus nach japanischen Gedichten (Song Cycle after Japanese Poems) for soprano and piano, Op. 37 (1996)
- Meditation zum Karfreitag (Meditation for Good Friday) for baritone and string quintet, Op. 59 (1993); words by Alfred Tillich
- 3 Gesänge (3 Songs) for baritone and piano, Op. 60 (1994); words by Alois Hergouth
- Caritas or Mein kränkelnd Herz (My sickly heart) for baritone and piano, Op. 61 (1994); words by Hans-Otto MeissnerHans-Otto MeissnerHans-Otto Meissner was a German writer and novelist.The son of prominent German diplomat Otto Meissner, Hans-Otto Meissner studied law at Heidelberg and Trinity College, Cambridge, after which he embarked on a diplomatic career. His postings took him to London, Tokyo, Moscow, and Milan, among...
- 3 Gesänge (3 Songs) for mezzo-soprano and harp, Op. 63 (1994); words by Alois Hergouth
- Kammermusik for narrator, baritone and small orchestra, Op. 68 (1995); words after Die Stadt by Hermann HesseHermann HesseHermann Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature...
- Der Babylonische Turm (The Tower of Babel), Fantasie for soprano (or baritone) and organ, Op. 69 (1996); Biblical words
- 3 Gesänge (3 Songs) for baritone and piano (1997); words by Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich NietzscheFriedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a 19th-century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist...
- Im Wandern (In Hiking) for baritone and harp, Op. 77 No. 1 (1999); words by Joseph von Eichendorff
- Herbstbild (Image of Autumn) for soprano, flute, cello and harp, Op. 80 (2001); words by Friedrich Hebbel
- Psalmgebet nach Psalm 90 Vers 1-4 "Herr, du bist unsere Zuflucht für und für", Solo CantataCantataA cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
for soprano, trumpet and organ, Op. 82 (2000) - 3 Gesänge (3 Songs) for mezzo-soprano and piano, Op. 83 (2002); words by Alois Hergouth
- 5 Weihnachtslieder (5 Christmas carolChristmas carolA Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s) for soprano (or baritone) and harp (or organ), Op. 84 (2002) - 3 Gesänge nach chinesischen Gedichten (3 Songs on Chinese Poetry) for soprano, harp and vibraphone (or xylophone), Op. 87 (2003)
Choral
- Die Ameisen (nach Ringelnatz), Short Cantata for 3-voice children's chorus, flute, piano and snare drum, Op. 15 (1957)
- Media in vita (In the Midst of Life), Symphonic Scenes for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 35 (1979–1980)
- Mich ruft zuweilen eine Stille (Sometimes a silence calls me), Cantata for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 58 (1992)
- Allein den Betern kann es noch gelingen (It can only be achieved by those who pray), Cantata for baritone, chorus and orchestra (or organ), Op. 64 (1995)
- Musik zum Karfreitag und Ostersonntag (Music for Good Friday and Easter Sunday), Op. 66 (1995)
-
- Melos for English horn
- Klage-Refrain for 2 oboes, string orchestra and timpani
- Choralbearbeitungen
- Choral Meditation zum Ostersonntag
- Choral-Variation über "Wach auf, mein Herz, die Nacht ist hin"
- Improvisation for oboe and organ
- 3 geistliche Gesänge (3 Sacred Songs) for mixed chorus a cappella für gemischten Chor a cappella, Op. 71 (1997)
- Requiem for mezzo-soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 75 (2001)
- Alles, was Odem hat, Cantata for soprano, trumpet and organ, Op. 77 No. 2 (2000); text: Psalm 150Psalm 150Psalm 150 is a psalm in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. In it, the writer urges the congregation to praise God with music and dancing. The text, beloved by Jews and Christians alike, has often been set to music...
- Solokantate for baritone, male chorus and piano, Op. 79 (2000); words by Christian Fürchtegott GellertChristian Fürchtegott GellertChristian Fürchtegott Gellert was a German poet, one of the forerunners of the golden age of German literature that was ushered in by Lessing.-Biography:...
- 3 Psalmgesänge for male chorus, Op. 88 (2006)
External links
- Herbert Blendinger website (in German)
- Herbert Blendinger music information centre austria (in German)